NHL Wraparound Podcast
Breadth and depth. Contemporary and historical. Straight-forward and experienced. The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League. Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past. With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed. Bio’s Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years. Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings. Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager. A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL. After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003. His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.
Episodes
After being held out of the Rangers lineup, star forward Artemi Panarin has a new home on the left coast having been dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for a prospect and a draft pick.
Vic and Neil chat about the impact to both clubs and also discuss a smaller deal which took place between the Blues and Devils.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-70...
He's won two Stanley Cups. In fact, he's won everywhere he's coached. Still, Jon Cooper has never won the Jack Adams Trophy as Coach of the Year. That may have to change in June as Cooper as has led the Lightning to the top spot in the Eastern Conference despite dealing with a decimated defense all season.
Coming off the dramatic Stadium Series Sunday, the Lightning had more late heroics in store Tuesday on a night where all but one...
Monday morning saw the surprise announcement that Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz would be stepping down, though he would remain in his current role until a replacement is found.
Vic and Neil so a quick look into what impact this has on a team that has bounced back after a rough season-and-a-half and are looking to squeeze into a Wild Card spot in the West.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNei...
The first night of February brought perhaps the wildest outdoor game we've ever seen in a furious comeback win for the host Lightning.
That was followed Monday morning by the surprising resignation of Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz.
Vic and Neil have the latest along with along with a couple of strong takes coming out of Saturday's games along with the possibility of the playoff field flipping by 50% by the time we get to April.
A...
Kenny Albert, Rangers radio voice and one of sports broadcasting's most versatile talents, joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an in-depth career discussion. From 2025 National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame induction to his autobiography "A Mic for All Seasons" now available on audiobook, hear about calling the 1994 Stanley Cup Final on NHL Radio when Rangers-Canucks matched his two favorite teams, Barry Trotz fake arrest prank in Bal...
Columbus Blue Jackets Senior Advisor John Davidson joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren to discuss the young core emerging (Adam Fantilli, Marchenko, Mateychuk, Kent Johnson all popping at same time), Johnny Gaudreau's tragic legacy galvanizing team identity, Sean Monahan's underrated leadership, and why Columbus is positioned for genuine optimism despite missing playoffs. Hear JD's heartfelt tribute to Sam Rosen's 40-year Rangers caree...
Thursday had to have been one of the best nights we've seen all season. Throwback uniforms, multi-goal comebacks and notable personal achievements all on a night where Patrick Kane becomes the all-time leading U.S.-born point scorer.
On a day where we celebrate our two-year podcast anniversary, it's also our 250th original show! Where did that time go?
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
On a night where the Maple Leafs honored legend Darryl Sittler as the 50th anniversary of his 10-point game nears, the team completed an 0-5-0 homestand in advance of kicking off a 6-game road trip which may seal their fate for this season.
Elsewhere, Patrick Kane and Mike Modano are now tied among U.S.-born players for most points, the Islanders pull of a pair of deals with their Metro-area rivals and Vic and Neil do a deeper dive ...
Mitch Marner's return to Toronto has come and gone with the expected mixed reaction amidst his acrimonious departure to Vegas.
Vic and Neil discuss Friday's saga and also get into some second guessing surrounding happenings in that game as well as one at UBS Arena Saturday.
Six players notched hat tricks over the weekend, three others ended long droughts in helping their respective teams to key wins and the Ducks are in seventh heave...
Rangers broadcasting legend Sam Rosen joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an emotional interview during his 40th and final season as Voice of the New York Rangers. From the iconic "No More Curses, this one will last a lifetime" Game 7 call in 1994 to surviving ownership changes at Madison Square Garden, the beer incident with Alan Cohen, wine collection from NHL coaches, league-wide sendoff overwhelming him, and Kenny Albert's natu...
Wayne Gretzky joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the very first NHL Wraparound episode. The Great One discusses Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers' remarkable 22-3 turnaround in their last 25 games, Connor Bedard adapting after Brendan Smith's legal jaw-breaking hit, generational players from Bobby Orr through Sidney Crosby to Austin Matthews potentially reaching 800 goals, and Alex Ovechkin's chase of 894. Hear about playing ...
If ever there was a case to be made about one season having nothing to do with the next, it came over the last two nights. We'll look at four teams from each conference which missed the post-season a year ago and are right in contention while two others who will likely miss again had notable wins.
With 60% of the league schedule having been played, we'll give the projections heading into the weekend, the latest personnel notes and, ...
Two significant returns headlined the NHL Monday with one taking a back seat to the first goalie fight the league has seen in almost six years.
While a fair amount of attention will be going to the Atlantic Division, plenty of items will be sprayed around the rest of the league. That includes a "Figures" segment noting three games which highlight the unpredictability of the league and why the single season empty net goals against re...
The closeness of the NHL standings shows no sign of changing as the logjam in both conferences continues into the third week of the month.
With the Olympic break approaching, GM's are evaluating rosters with upwards of 30 teams having some post-season aspirations. In fact, a major deal was consummated Sunday evening.
But in New York, a second letter to fans in eight years as "re-tool" is the catchword in the Big Apple. However, unlik...
The Athletic's investigative reporter Katie Strang joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for an unflinching discussion of hockey's unseemly side. Six weeks before training camps open, the July 24, 2024 London Ontario trial concluded with five former NHL players found not guilty of sexual assault. Katie explains the circus-like proceedings, two discharged juries, inadmissible evidence, and split public opinion. From her personal connectio...
Baseball Hall of Fame-caliber manager Bobby Valentine joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the premiere NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series episode. The former manager of the Texas Rangers (7 years), New York Mets (NL pennant), Boston Red Sox, and two-time champion in Japan shares a lifetime of stories. From playing for 17-year-old Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod to the iconic 1999 mustache disguise, managing Mike Piazza's emotional 9/11 hom...
The much-awaited first game between Mitch Marner and his former Maple Leafs teammates did not disappoint in a night rife with terrific storylines.
In Boston, #33 was raised to the rafters while the Sabres did some honoring of their own in winning for the 15th time in 17 games. The Jets and Blue Jackets are showing signs of life while the 20-game point streak of Connor McDavid comes to an end.
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil ...
From Eastern Conference Finalists in 2022 and 2024 to NHL bottom-feeder. The New York Rangers fall from the NHL’s elite has been stunning with much of the blame being heaped on GM Chris Drury.
Vincent Mercogliano covers the Rangers for The Athletic and joins Neil and Vic to do a deep dive into the current state of the franchise, how they got to this point and where they go in a 100th anniversary season that has been anything but mem...
When a team loses, it's one thing. When it gets blown out, it's another. When that blowout comes in the form of surrendering 10 goals in front of a national TV audience, you're in pretty hot soup and that's exactly what the New York Rangers are in following one of their most embarrassing losses in recent memory.
Vic and Neil break it down and also look at the reversal of fortune in Toronto, the first steps taken by Winnipeg in an at...
Bernie Parent and Jay Snyder join Neil and Vic to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers' back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975. From Ed Snyder's vision after being brutalized by the Blues to Fred Shero's revolutionary coaching, this is the story of how the Broad Street Bullies became the first expansion team to win the Cup. Hear Bernie describe learning from Jacques Plante, the Terror Squad's i...
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